US6384543B2 - Switching device - Google Patents

Switching device Download PDF

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Publication number
US6384543B2
US6384543B2 US09/826,619 US82661901A US6384543B2 US 6384543 B2 US6384543 B2 US 6384543B2 US 82661901 A US82661901 A US 82661901A US 6384543 B2 US6384543 B2 US 6384543B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
lamp
inductive element
frequency
switching device
current
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/826,619
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English (en)
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US20020014858A1 (en
Inventor
Arnold Willem Buij
Adrianus Martinus Johannes De Bijl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. reassignment KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DE BIJL, ADRIANUS MARTINUS JOHANNES, BUIJ, ARNOLD WILLEM
Publication of US20020014858A1 publication Critical patent/US20020014858A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6384543B2 publication Critical patent/US6384543B2/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
    • H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
    • H05B41/282—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices
    • H05B41/2825—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices by means of a bridge converter in the final stage
    • H05B41/2827—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices by means of a bridge converter in the final stage using specially adapted components in the load circuit, e.g. feed-back transformers, piezoelectric transformers; using specially adapted load circuit configurations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36—Controlling
    • H05B41/38—Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/39—Controlling the intensity of light continuously
    • H05B41/392—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor
    • H05B41/3921—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations
    • H05B41/3925—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations by frequency variation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
    • Y10S315/04—Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
    • Y10S315/05—Starting and operating circuit for fluorescent lamp

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a switching device for powering a lamp, including
  • an inverter for generating a high-frequency lamp current which includes
  • an external drive circuit which is coupled to the switching means in order to generate a control signal of frequency f for controlling the switching means so as to be alternately conductive and non-conductive,
  • a dimming circuit which is coupled to the control circuit in order to adjust the frequency f
  • a load circuit which is coupled to the switching means and includes a series connection of an inductive element and lamp connection terminals which are connected by a circuit which includes a first capacitive element.
  • the invention also relates to a compact lamp.
  • a switching device of the kind set forth is known.
  • a user of the known switching device can adjust the light flux of a lamp powered by the switching device by adjusting the frequency of the control signal by means of the dimming circuit.
  • the lamp can thus be dimmed by means of comparatively simple means.
  • the capacitance of the capacitive element is chosen to be comparatively low, it is ensured that the relationship between the frequency of the control signal and the lamp power is unambiguous throughout the power range of the lamp.
  • the range in which the frequency of the control signal should be adjustable then becomes comparatively large. This gives rise to problems in practice, because the integrated circuit that is often included in the control circuit usually is not capable of generating a control signal having a comparatively high frequency.
  • a switching device of the kind set forth in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the inductive element is proportioned such that
  • Lmax is the instantaneous value of the inductance of the inductive element when the amplitude of the current in the inductive element is maximum and the lamp power has its maximum value
  • L 20 is the instantaneous value of the inductance of the inductive element when the amplitude of the current in the inductive element is maximum and the lamp power amounts to 20% of its maximum value
  • the frequency of the control signal in a switching device in accordance with the invention is increased by means of the dimming circuit, the frequency of the current in the load circuit also increases.
  • the operating voltage of the lamp and the amplitude of the current through the inductive element also increase. Due to the increase of the amplitude of the current through the inductive element, the effective value of the inductance of the inductive element decreases because the instantaneous value of the inductance is comparatively low during a part of each high-frequency period of the current through the inductive element and a considerable degree of saturation of said inductive element occurs.
  • the decrease of the effective value of the inductance in response to an increase of the frequency of the control signal ensures that an unambiguous relation exists between the frequency of the control signal and the lamp power over a comparatively large range of the lamp power.
  • the lamp can be dimmed over a large range and its operation is stable throughout the dimming range.
  • the inductive element in a switching device in accordance with the invention may have a very simple construction. Attractive results have notably been achieved by means of embodiments of a switching device in accordance with the invention in which the inductive element includes an I-core provided with a winding of copper wire.
  • a switching device in accordance with the invention may have a comparatively simple and hence compact construction so that it is perfectly suitable for use in the electronic ballast of a compact lamp which includes
  • a light-transmitting discharge vessel which is provided with a filling containing a noble gas and with two electrodes,
  • a lamp cap which is provided with electrical contacts and is connected to the lamp housing
  • an electronic ballast which is coupled between the electrodes and the contacts for generating a lamp current from a supply voltage.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a switching device in accordance with the invention whereto a lamp is connected;
  • FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a compact lamp in accordance with the invention
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 both show a relation between lamp power and frequency of the lamp current
  • FIG. 5 shows the inductance of an inductive element of a practical implementation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, that is, as a function of the instantaneous value of the amplitude of the current through the inductive element.
  • the references K 5 and K 6 in FIG. 1 denote a first and a second terminal, respectively, for connection to the mains voltage (50 Hz, 220 V).
  • the terminal K 5 is connected to a first input of a rectifier GM which is formed by a diode bridge in the present embodiment.
  • the terminal K 6 is connected to a second input of the rectifier GM.
  • Respective output terminals of the rectifier GM are connected to the input terminal K 1 and to the input terminal K 2 , respectively.
  • the input terminal K 1 is connected to the input terminal K 2 via a capacitor C 1 .
  • the terminals K 5 and K 6 , the diode bridge GM and the capacitor C 1 together constitute a supply voltage source whereto the input terminals are connected.
  • the capacitor C 1 is bridged by a series connection of a first switching element S 1 and a second switching element S 2 , constituting switching means in the present embodiment.
  • Respective control electrodes of the first switching element S 1 and of the second switching element S 2 are connected to respective outputs of a control circuit Sc 1 for generating a control signal of frequency f for rendering the first and the second switching element alternately conductive and non-conductive.
  • An input of the control circuit Sc 1 is connected to an output of a circuit element D.
  • the circuit element D constitutes a dimming circuit for adjusting the frequency f.
  • the second switching element S 2 is bridged by a series connection of a coil L 1 , a lamp connection terminal K 3 , a lamp La, a lamp connection terminal K 4 and a capacitor C 2 .
  • the lamp La is bridged by a capacitor C 3 which constitutes a first capacitive element in the present embodiment.
  • the coil L 1 , the lamp connection terminals K 3 and K 4 and the capacitors C 2 and C 3 together constitute a load circuit in the present embodiment.
  • the coil L 1 constitutes an inductive element.
  • the control circuit Sc 1 makes the switching elements S 1 and S 2 alternately conductive and non-conductive. Consequently, a substantially square-wave high-frequency voltage is present at a common point of the two switching elements. Because of this substantially square-wave high-frequency voltage, a high-frequency current flows in the load circuit of the inverter. Consequently, a high-frequency current also flows through the lamp La.
  • the frequency f of the control signal by means of the circuit element D, the frequency of the high-frequency current through the coil L 1 also increases. As a result, the lamp power decreases and also the light flux of the lamp whereas the amplitude of the high-frequency current through the coil L 1 increases.
  • the relation between the frequency f and the lamp power would be as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the frequency f is plotted in kHz along the horizontal axis and the lamp power is plotted in W along the vertical axis.
  • the lamp used was a low-pressure mercury discharge lamp of the type PL (Philips) having a rated power of 55 W. It can be seen that for lamp powers of less than approximately 27.5 W there is no longer an unambiguous relation between lamp power and frequency f. Consequently, it is not possible to adjust a lamp power which is lower than approximately 27.5 W.
  • the coil L 1 is chosen to be such that a substantial degree of saturation of the coil L 1 occurs at a higher frequency and hence also a higher amplitude of the current in the coil L 1 .
  • the coil L 1 is notably proportioned such that approximately:
  • Lmax is the instantaneous value of the inductance of the inductive element when the amplitude of the current in the inductive element is maximum and the lamp power has its maximum value
  • L 20 is the instantaneous value of the inductance of the inductive element when the amplitude of the current in the inductive element is maximum and the lamp power amounts to 20% of its maximum value.
  • FIG. 5 shows the instantaneous value of the inductance of the relevant coil as a function of the instantaneous amplitude of the current in the coil.
  • the instantaneous amplitude of the current in the coil is plotted in mA along the horizontal axis.
  • the instantaneous inductance of the coil is plotted in ⁇ H along the vertical axis. It appears that the saturation of the coil is comparatively high at a comparatively high instantaneous amplitude of the lamp current.
  • the coil used consisted of a winding of copper wire about an I-core made of the material 3C85 (Philips).
  • the reference numeral 8 in FIG. 2 denotes a light-transmitting discharge vessel provided with a filling containing mercury and a noble gas and with two electrodes (not shown). A luminescent layer is provided on the wall of the discharge vessel.
  • the reference numeral 6 denotes a lamp housing which is connected to the discharge vessel 8 and the reference numeral 3 denotes a lamp cap which is provided with electrical contacts ( 1 and 2 ) and is connected to the lamp housing.
  • the reference B is a diagrammatic representation of a switching device in accordance with the invention which is coupled between the contacts ( 1 , 2 ), via the conductors E, and the electrodes (via the conductors 9 ) for generating a high-frequency lamp current.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Discharge-Lamp Control Circuits And Pulse- Feed Circuits (AREA)
US09/826,619 2000-04-06 2001-04-05 Switching device Expired - Fee Related US6384543B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00201255 2000-04-06
EP00201255.7 2000-04-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020014858A1 US20020014858A1 (en) 2002-02-07
US6384543B2 true US6384543B2 (en) 2002-05-07

Family

ID=8171315

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/826,619 Expired - Fee Related US6384543B2 (en) 2000-04-06 2001-04-05 Switching device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6384543B2 (ja)
EP (1) EP1281295B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP2003530678A (ja)
CN (1) CN1366793A (ja)
DE (1) DE60114800T2 (ja)
WO (1) WO2001078466A1 (ja)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050239420A1 (en) * 2002-03-06 2005-10-27 Nam Ki Y Rf amplifier system with interface to provide a computer readable spectral depiction of the rf output
CN100428868C (zh) * 2002-05-29 2008-10-22 东芝照明技术株式会社 高压放电灯点灯装置及照明装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7772668B2 (en) * 2007-12-26 2010-08-10 Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation Shielded gate trench FET with multiple channels

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4081718A (en) 1975-05-20 1978-03-28 Nec Sylvania Corporation Discharge lamp lighting device using a backswing booster
US5726537A (en) 1995-04-27 1998-03-10 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Circuit for pulsed operation of a discharge lamp
US5965985A (en) * 1996-09-06 1999-10-12 General Electric Company Dimmable ballast with complementary converter switches

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4207497A (en) * 1978-12-05 1980-06-10 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Ballast structure for central high frequency dimming apparatus
GB2240887B (en) * 1990-02-07 1994-09-07 Valmont Industries A circuit for starting and operating fluorescent lamps

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4081718A (en) 1975-05-20 1978-03-28 Nec Sylvania Corporation Discharge lamp lighting device using a backswing booster
US5726537A (en) 1995-04-27 1998-03-10 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Circuit for pulsed operation of a discharge lamp
US5965985A (en) * 1996-09-06 1999-10-12 General Electric Company Dimmable ballast with complementary converter switches

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050239420A1 (en) * 2002-03-06 2005-10-27 Nam Ki Y Rf amplifier system with interface to provide a computer readable spectral depiction of the rf output
CN100428868C (zh) * 2002-05-29 2008-10-22 东芝照明技术株式会社 高压放电灯点灯装置及照明装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20020014858A1 (en) 2002-02-07
DE60114800T2 (de) 2006-07-20
EP1281295A1 (en) 2003-02-05
CN1366793A (zh) 2002-08-28
JP2003530678A (ja) 2003-10-14
WO2001078466A1 (en) 2001-10-18
DE60114800D1 (de) 2005-12-15
EP1281295B1 (en) 2005-11-09

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AS Assignment

Owner name: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V., NETHERLANDS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BUIJ, ARNOLD WILLEM;DE BIJL, ADRIANUS MARTINUS JOHANNES;REEL/FRAME:011864/0658;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010502 TO 20010503

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20100507